Different Kinds of Rats

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Rats. The fascinating rodents belong to the genus Rattus. The ones you're probably familiar with are the Norway rat and the black rat. Found all over the world, they are the most common of 69 species. They're intelligent and curious creatures; captive-bred ones make good pets. Wild rats, meanwhile, carry fleas and lice. They can spoil food with their urine and feces, and they can chew through wood, cinder blocks and wire with their strong teeth.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are also known as brown rats, sewer rats or wharf rats, among other names that vary from locale to locale. They have brown upper bodies, grayish underbellies, small ears and hairless tails. Norway rats are not good climbers; this is why they are found in basements and ground floors of buildings, and in fields and woodpiles. They are strong swimmers, so they thrive in city sewers. They eat cereal grains, seeds, meat, fish and nuts. Wild Norway rats will not hesitate to gnaw on animals and humans.

Black Rats

Black rats are also called roof rats, house rats or ship rats. They are black with light colored underbellies. They have large ears and long naked tails. Black rats don't like to swim and don't inhabit sewers. They are superb climbers, living high off the ground. Black rats reside in attics, on roofs and high in trees. They eat fruits and berries, grains, pet foods, snails, slugs and rotten garbage.

New Guinea Rats and Forest Rats

Arianus' New Guinea mountain rats, eastern New Guinea mountain rats, eastern New Guinea rats, large New Guinea spiny rats, New Guinean rats, Pocock's New Guinea Highland rats, Richardson's New Guinea rats, Stein's New Guinea rats and western New Guinea mountain rats are indigenous to New Guinea. Indochinese rats, New Ireland forest rats, Philippine forest rats, Sahyadris forest rats and Tawitawi forest rats are named for the forests they live in.

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Author

Karen Mihaylo has been a writer since 2009. She has been a professional dog groomer since 1982 and is certified in canine massage therapy. Mihaylo holds an associate degree in human services from Delaware Technical and Community College.